McGrady, Jackson Ejected in King Win

Pacific Division leader Sacramento won its fifth in a row, but it didn’t come easy.

Things got heated Tuesday night during the Kings’ 114-108 overtime victory over the Magic at Orlando, Fla., after King guard Bobby Jackson fouled Magic forward Tracy McGrady while he was taking a jump shot. McGrady then tossed the ball at Jackson, hitting him in the head, and Jackson responded by shoving McGrady.

McGrady then missed with a punch and landed on top of Jackson after the two grabbed each other. Both players were ejected, and Jackson had to be restrained from going after a fan who dumped a cup of beer on him from above as he walked through the tunnel toward the locker room.

An NBA fine and suspension is likely for both.

“He came up and pushed me, I was just defending myself,” said McGrady who led Orlando with 25 points. “Whatever they give me, I’ll take it, but I don’t deserve to be suspended.”

King center Vlade Divac could also face an automatic one-game suspension for leaving the team’s bench during the fight.

“It’s really not the way you wanted the game to end because it was a well-played game for the most part,” Magic Coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s bad that the McGrady and Jackson issue is what we will be talking about for the next few days.”

Seattle 99, Portland 90--The Trail Blazers lost for the fourth consecutive game as Gary Payton scored 31 points in the SuperSonics’ victory at Seattle.

Trail Blazer forward Rasheed Wallace (19 points) was held to two points on one-for-six shooting in the second half as Portland fell two games behind division-leading Sacramento.

Houston 127, Indiana 118--Moochie Norris made a three-point basket with three seconds left in regulation and scored 11 of his career-high 28 points in the third overtime to lead the Rockets at Houston. Jalen Rose scored 39 points for Indiana, which lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Dallas 122, New Jersey 98--Juwan Howard had 27 points and nine rebounds and Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley scored 25 apiece to lead the Mavericks at Dallas.

Net rookie forward Kenyon Martin sprained his ankle late in the second quarter and did not play the second half.

New York 98, Cleveland 79--Glen Rice scored 17 points for the Knicks, who overcame the absence of starters Latrell Sprewell (respiratory infection) and Larry Johnson (sore back) in the victory at New York.

Milwaukee 101, Toronto 97--Ray Allen scored 29 points and reserve Tim Thomas added 23 points to lead the Bucks at Toronto.

Atlanta 109, Vancouver 99--Toni Kukoc had 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds at Atlanta to help the Hawks end a 10-game losing streak.